Third Sunday of Advent–Rose (I) (Gaudete Sunday) – St. Lucy, Virgin, Martyr

Gaudete means “Rejoice.” Anticipated joy over our Savior’s coming breaks through all our serious Advent preparation. Although it cannot be entirely repressed, our joy is yet restrained for two reasons: 1. Like John the Baptist, even the most fervent person feels a great unworthiness either to be a friend of Christ or to be His apostle. 2. Very often our joy is dulled by unnecessary anxiety. We let our peace of soul depend too much upon persons and events and circumstances, and too little upon God’s infallible and tender care.